Performance of Plastic Packaging for Hazardous Materials Transportation. Part 1. Mechanical Properties

This report, prepared for the U. S. Department of Transportation, contains background information useful in evaluating the performance of plastic packagings for hazardous materials transportation, insofar as mechanical properties are concerned. Current DoT regulations and test methods are reviewed, as well as testing procedures from other organizations and countries. Also included are recommendations to modify current DoT regulations to make test methods more quantitative Finally, experimental data are presented which represent the initial stage of a study it is hoped will ultimately lead to the establishment of criteria upon which the long time behavior of plastic containers can be predicted based on short time tests. (AN)